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Bebop Spoken There

Kurt Elling: ''There's something to learn from every musician you play with''. (DownBeat, December 2024).

The Things They Say!

Hudson Music: Lance's "Bebop Spoken Here" is one of the heaviest and most influential jazz blogs in the UK.

Rupert Burley (Dynamic Agency): "BSH just goes from strength to strength".

'606' Club: "A toast to Lance Liddle of the terrific jazz blog 'Bebop Spoken Here'"

The Strictly Smokin' Big Band included Be Bop Spoken Here (sic) in their 5 Favourite Jazz Blogs.

Ann Braithwaite (Braithwaite & Katz Communications) You’re the BEST!

Holly Cooper, Mouthpiece Music: "Lance writes pull quotes like no one else!"

Simon Spillett: A lovely review from the dean of jazz bloggers, Lance Liddle...

Josh Weir: I love the writing on bebop spoken here... I think the work you are doing is amazing.

Postage

17602 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 16 years ago. 876 of them this year alone and, so far, 21 this month (Dec. 11).

From This Moment On ...

December

Thu 12: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ Spanish City, Whitley Bay. 12 noon. £27.00. (inc. three -course meal).
Thu 12: Jason Isaacs @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 5:00-6:45pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Thu 12: Stuart Turner @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Thu 12: Tees Hot Club @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesborough. 8:30pm. Free. Guests: Jeremy McMurray (keys); Mark Toomey (alto sax); Donna Hewitt (tenor sax); Kevin Eland (trumpet); Ron Smith (bass).

Fri 13: Dean Stockdale Trio @ Auckland Castle, Bishop Auckland. 1:00pm. £8.00.
Fri 13: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 13: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 13: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 13: Bellavana @ Revoluçion de Cuba, Newcastle. 3:00-5:00pm. Free.
Fri 13: Joe Steels Trio @ The Pele, Corbridge. 7:00pm. Free.
Fri 13: Customs House Big Band @ Stocksfield Community Association. 7:00pm. Featuring Ruth Lambert.
Fri 13: Paul Edis & Friends: A Jazzy Xmas @ St Cuthbert’s Centre, Crook. 7:30pm. £15.00.
Fri 13: Strictly Smokin’ Big Band @ Gosforth Civic Theatre, Newcastle. 7:30pm. £19.00. + bf. First night of two.
Fri 13: Ransom Van @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Fri 13: Boys of Brass @ Hoochie Coochie, Newcastle. 9:00pm. £10.00.

Sat 14: Jambone @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 6:15pm. Free but ticketed.
Sat 14: Abbie Finn Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm.
Sat 14: Red Kites Jazz @ Staiths Café, Autumn Dr., Gateshead. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 14 Lapwing Jazz Trio @ Three Sheets to the Wind, Alnwick. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 14: Strictly Smokin’ Big Band @ Gosforth Civic Theatre, Newcastle. 7:30pm. £19.00. + bf. Second night of two.
Sat 14: Papa G’s Troves @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sun 15: Musicians Unlimited @ Jackson’s Wharf, Hartlepool. 12 noon. £8.50. Xmas party feat. Musicians Unlimited + Customs House Big Band. SOLD OUT!
Sun 15: Paul Edis & Friends: A Jazzy Xmas @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 2:00pm.
Sun 15: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 15: Mitch Laddie Band @ Tyne Bar, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 4:00pm. Free. Superb blues power trio.
Sun 15: Leeway @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sun 15: Tweed River Jazz Band @ Barrels Ale House, Berwick. 7:00pm. Free.
Sun 15: Paul Edis & Friends: A Jazzy Xmas @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 8:00pm.
Sun 15: Alligator Gumbo @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 16: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 16: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ The Wheatsheaf, Benton Sq., Whitley Road, Palmersville NE12 9SU. Tel: 0191 266 8137. 12 noon. £9.95. ‘Festive Turkey Dinner’. Book now: 0191 266 8137.
Mon 16: Paul Edis & Friends: A Jazzy Xmas @ The Fire Station, Sunderland. 7:30pm.

Tue 17: Paul Edis & Friends: A Jazzy Xmas @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 7:30pm.
Tue 17: BBC Big Band @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 7:30pm. ‘A Swinging Xmas’.
Tue 17: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Alan Law, Paul Grainger, Abbie Finn.
Tue 17: Bellavana @ Revoluçion de Cuba, Newcastle. 7:45-9:35pm. Free.

Wed 18: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 18: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 18: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Wed 18: Hot Club of Heaton @ Elder Beer, Heaton, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘third Wednesday in the month’ session.

Reviewers wanted

Whilst BSH attempts to cover as many gigs, festivals and albums as possible, to make the site even more comprehensive we need more 'boots on the ground' to cover the albums seeking review - a large percentage of which never get heard - report on gigs or just to air your views on anything jazz related. Interested? then please get in touch. Contact details are on the blog. Look forward to hearing from you. Lance

Friday, October 05, 2018

CD Review: Felipe Salles Interconnections Ensemble – The Lullaby Project.

(Review by Dave Brownlow).
I begin by quoting from the CD notes of this album which clearly states its objectives far better than any re-write of my own:
“The LULLABY PROJECT is an extended work in five movements for jazz orchestra. This is the debut recording of the Felipe Salles Interconnections Ensemble, an 18 piece jazz orchestra that combines Brazilian, Latin-American, and classical influences. It is a suite of pieces which are all ‘through-composed’ and feature jazz solos from different member of the various sections.”
The music ranges from lyrical to highly-charged, from simplicity to complexity and from peace to anarchy. The other three tracks are tango-inspired pieces which point to the leader’s deep connection with the Argentinian style of music and the influence of famous composer Astor Piazzolla. The music, Salles explains, draws inspiration from traditional Brazilian lullabies and the impact they have had on generations. The style of writing is uniquely Salles’ own but it’s very clear that it follows in the lineage of Gil Evans/Bob Brookmeyer/Maria Schneider at the highest level in jazz today. The tracks are all extended, ranging from 7mins 34 sec to 11mins 13sec and provide ample room for first-rate soloists to contribute, where it’s possible for traditional and contemporary musical elements to meet and co-exist.

Lullaby 1: A dramatic start introduced by a three-note motif developed throughout the piece by sudden interjections from unexpected sections of the band. Short tenor and trumpet solos build up tension and maintain focus leading to a satisfying conclusion.

Lullaby 2: The longest track (11:13) opens with a single piano note developed first in the bass clef, then chordally. Gradually, instruments interject with beautiful, gentle woodwind, then brass, segments. A loud ‘Kentonesque’ section incorporating a frantic trombone solo cushioned by brass leads to a quiet “classical” flutes/clarinet interlude and a powerful guitar sequence spurred on by manic drums and building into a climax similar to some of Brookmeyer’s orchestral output.

Lullaby 3: A ‘stately’ theme from the soprano sax with an ‘Eastern’ flavour (sounds more like an oboe). Floating, shimmering vibes over lively rhythm section lead into exceptionally difficult-to-play orchestral manoeuvres which are built then dismantled, ending with a charming and unexpected conclusion.

Lullaby 4: An incessant, driving, piano-led, 4-note ostinato as its foundation and a gorgeous melody. Over the 9mins 43sec various sections emerge and disappear energetically and where Tyler Burchfield on baritone and Eric Smith on trumpet solo in ‘contemporary style’ lead to a full-throated orchestral finale Gil Evans would have enjoyed.

Lullaby 5: A tense start with a ‘Spanish’ feel featuring Michelin on melodica then on piano (very Tyner-ish) and Jonathan Ball on alto (slightly ‘Cannonball’ in style then very ‘free’.) This brings us to shouty, climactic, brass figures leading to a quiet, atmospheric, concluding passage from melodica and vibes.

Odd Tango: The first of the three tango-inspired pieces and possibly named because of its unusual time-signature (sounds like seven-four to me). A strong tenor solo from Caudill and an astonishing, tightly-muted and close mic trombone solo from Hendrix bring us to the tempo increasing finale.

Astor Square: A dedication to Astor Piazzolla who revolutionised the tango to include elements of both jazz and classical music. Garcia features on soprano sax, then the faster section builds and fades.

Carla’s Tango: Typically Argentinian. A graceful piece, full of musically dramatic moments that inspire the dancers (contestants?) to entwine themselves throughout. Sinuous lines of exotic minor key melodies are intertwined. Muted brass supports Salles himself in his only solo on soprano sax. He also uses unusual combinations of instruments - ie flutes, muted trumpets, soprano sax, clarinets as Gil Evans did. This constantly alerts the listener for the next surprise!

Felipe Salles is currently Associate Professor of Jazz and Afro-American Music Studies at the University of Massachusetts Amhurst. He can be justifiably proud this album which requires repeated listenings even to begin to follow and enjoy all the detailed work which has gone into the project and the care with which his musicians have brought the charts to life. A CD well worth hearing for all lovers of large contemporary jazz orchestras and those with open minds and ears for music which blends classical, African, Argentinian and jazz influences.
Dave B.
The Lullaby Project  76028-2 is available now from :  www.sallesjazz.com   

 Richard Garcia, Jonathan Ball, Mike Caudill, Jacob Shulman, Tyler Burchfield (reeds); Jeff Holmes, Yuta Yamaguchi, Eric Smith, Doug Olsen (trumpets); Joel Yennior, Clayton DeWalt, Dan Hendrix, Randy Pingrey, Angel Subero (trombones); Nando Michelin (piano/melodica); Kevin Grudecki (guitar); Ryan Fedak (vibes); Keala Kaumeheiwa (bass); Bertram Lehmann (drums).

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